take to one’s heels, to
🦶 To flee. Clearly, this term does not refer to running on one’s heels, which would not make for a particularly rapid escape. Rather, the heels are all one sees of a person who turns tail (see also turn tail, below). Thus, Shakespeare wrote: “Darest thou… play the coward… and show it a fair pair of heels and run from it?” (Henry IV, Part 1, 2.4). John Ray recorded “show them a fair pair of heels” in his 1678 proverb collection, but in the nineteenth century, it became a clean pair of heels (with Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, among others). The current cliché dates from the nineteenth century as well. Henry Thomas Riley (1816–78) used it in his translation of Terence’s play Eunuchus: “I took to my heels as fast as I could.”
Related and Similar Terms
- Turn tail: To suddenly flee the scene, usually in a cowardly manner.
- Beat a hasty retreat: To leave quickly, often suggesting urgency or fear.
- Hightail it: To rush away suddenly, often in a mix of urgency and terror.
- Leg it: British slang for running away quickly.
Synonyms
- Bolt
- Dash
- Scamper
- Skedaddle
- Hotfoot it
Antonyms
- Stand firm
- Hold one’s ground
Humor-filled Quotes
“Why did the grammar teacher flee? She realized she was about to be sentenced!” — Anonymous Linguist
Proverbs
“A runaway monk never praises his monastery.”
Suggested Literature
- “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson: Adventure tales often feature characters who need to take to their heels - and Stevenson’s classic is packed with thrilling escapes!
- “Kidnapped” by Robert Louis Stevenson: Another exhilarating read by Stevenson that keeps you on your toes.
- “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain: Huck and Jim are always on the move, making escapes and fleeing pursuers.
Songs
- “Run Like Hell” by Pink Floyd: For those moments when you really need an energizing escape soundtrack.
- “Running with the Night” by Lionel Richie: Perfect for a poetic late-night escape.
Movies
- “Catch Me If You Can”: A movie about the ultimate runaway, depicting witty escapes and the art of fleeing!
- “Forrest Gump”: Not only full of running but also packed with life lessons and inspiration.
“Life is a grand stage, and sometimes a swift exit left is the wisest move.”
▫️ Fleet Footed Fiona
